Caesars workers are first to open negotiations

When dealers at Caesars Atlantic City casino voted to become part of the UAW on March 17, Sharon Masino knew immediately what she wanted. “I knew that I wanted to sit across the table from management and have them look at me and not down at me,” Masino said.

With support from her co-workers, Masino will now get her chance.

A Caesar’s dealer for 23 years, Masino was elected as a member of the UAW bargaining committee. She’s now sitting eye to eye with company negotiators, as she represents more than 800 casino workers bargaining for a first contract.

Negotiations began Aug. 9 for the full- and part-time dealers, keno and simulcast employees who were the first Atlantic City casino workers to join the UAW.

“We have heard from other dealers thanking us for being first,” Masino said. “We won’t let them down. We will sit at the table until we get a fair contract.”

“The momentum that is catching on all over Atlantic City began with these determined dealers at Caesars,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who directs the union’s Technical, Office and Professional Department. “They are negotiating for a contract that benefits them as well as other casino workers and the gaming industry in New Jersey.”

“The enthusiasm and determination are exciting,” said Joe Ashton, who directs UAW Region 9, which includes New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. “Everyone has been buoyed by the enormous support from community leaders, legislators and dealers across Atlantic City, from Detroit and all over.”

“We are very happy about getting to the table,” said Aneil Patel, a Caesars dealer for 13 years, who added he wants a contract that will end the company’s unfair practice of downgrading full-time jobs to part time with no benefits.

Working no more than two or three days a week, he said, has meant that some dealers must work multiple jobs to make ends meet and still not have benefits such as health care.

“It has been a very hard thing for the newer workers. You can’t support yourself or your family like that,” Patel said.

Before negotiations started, Patel, other Caesars dealers and supporters cheered union negotiators and chanted, “What do we want? A contract! When do we want it? Now!”

“We will do our very best to set an example for the other casino workers,” said Patel.

The UAW has represented dealers, cage cashiers and slot technicians at Detroit’s three casinos since 1999.

In more casino-related news:

• Earlier this year, a majority of workers at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino voted for the UAW. At Trump Plaza, a week after dealers voted 324-149 for union representation, the company filed objections to the election. The National Labor Relations Board found no merit to those charges and tossed out the complaint.

• Dealers at Bally's Atlantic City voted 628-255 in June for the UAW and recently elected a bargaining team in anticipation of negotiating a first contract.

• At press time, among the growing list of Atlantic City casino workers who want the join the UAW, 50 slot technicians at Caesars casino were expected to hold an election Aug. 23, and about 200 cashiers were expected to vote Sept. 1.

An election for about 1,000 workers at Tropicana Casino and Resort Atlantic City was set for Aug. 25.

Sandra Davis